Time for another crowdfunding roundup! Today The Time Bum takes you on an international journey to check out some watch projects that are live now on Kickstarter.
Mavrik
Let’s start right here in the good old U.S. of A with Virginia’s Mavrik Watch Company and their long awaited Nereus V diver. I’ve got one of these in hand for a full review, but while you are waiting for that, head over the Kickstarter page and check out this beauty. It has a 41mm cushion case in stainless steel, titanium, or bronze with heavy wire lugs. Fitted to that is a domed sapphire bezel, sapphire crystal, and sandwich dial with some tasty lume options. Movement options include a Swiss made Stelita SW200-1 automatic or a Time Module (Seiko) VH31 4TS Quartz with a smooth sweeping second hand. It is rated for 500m water resistance. Early bird pricing starts at $199 for a stainless steel quartz, $349 for a titanium auto, and $479 for a bronze auto. All in all, a very tempting proposition.
Ceres
Turning north to Winnipeg, Canada, we find the Ceres C01, a simple one-hander in a 42mm case. The specs are pretty basic: Miyota 2035 Quartz movement, mineral glass crystal, 50m water resistance. Why is it on this list? Check out the way the tall dome distorts the long, spidery markers, and the broad spacing of the delicate letters that make up the curved Ceres logo. Lovely. You can still grab one for only $85 USD.
Minute & Azimut
Minute & Azimut are “based in London with a French touch.” The Bisham harkens back to the 1950’s with its raised dart dial, baton hands, domed sapphire crystal, and 38mm diameter case. It runs a Swiss made Ronda 763 quartz and the 2 o’clock crown is a distinctive touch. I’m kind of torn on this one. I really want to like it but I feel its petite proportions and fine details are undone by heavy-handed branding that upsets the balance of the dial. Early bird prices start at $129 USD.
Finn Watches
The Finn Watches Causeway (white) and Fingal’s Cave (black) draw inspiration from the six-sided stones of Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway, which legend says was built by the giant Finn McCool. Specs include a Ronda 713 quartz movement, mineral glass, and 50m water resistance, but the highlights are that wild 41mm case, and the honeycomb embossed dial. It’s not every day you find a watch that is all about the hexagons. The green second hand and stitching on the crazy horse strap don’t hurt either. Rewards are still available for $160 USD.
BAU
Finally, from Madrid, Spain, we have BAU (as in Bauhaus). Yes, it is a minimalist dial in a 40mm case, powered by a pedestrian Miyota 2035 quartz. Of course, it is available on the ubiquitous nylon NATO strap. The dial makes it worth a second look. I dig the exaggerated baton markers that push the tiny numerals towards the center, and the contrast of the black index hands. The domed mineral crystal is a nice touch too. Pre-orders are still available for just $90 USD.
